21 Days of Prayer - Day #5 Thursday, January 11, 2024 Jesus Is My Shepherd

Day 5 - Thursday  January 11 - It’s All About Jesus -   Jesus is my Shepherd - Raah

Why do we need a shepherd?

Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 (NIV) 

We need a shepherd because we are sheep.  In some ways not a great compliment. 

Sheep cannot survive on their own.  They have no natural defenses. They have terrible depth perception (they will walk off a cliff).

Without a shepherd - sheep will make a mess of their lives.

Without a shepherd the - death and destruction are in our path.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him  the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 (NLT)

There’s one  thing that sheep do really well.

They have incredible hearing - they will follow only their shepherd’s voice.

Under the care of Good Shepherd - our future is peace, protection and prosperity.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

This is the promise of a life under the shepherd.

The Lord is my shepherd (Jehova Raah - you guide me), I lack nothing (Jehova Jire - you provide for me). 2   He makes me lie down in green pastures (Jehova Shalom - you give me peace),
he leads me beside quiet waters, 3   he refreshes my soul (Jehova Rapha - You bring healing to me). He guides me along the right paths  for his name’s sake (Jehova Tsidkenu - you give me a right way to live). 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Jehova Shama - you are always there, my constant companion); your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me  in the presence of my enemies (Jehova Nissi - You are my banner of victory). You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me  all the days of my life (Jehova Makeddish - you redeem me and give me purpose), and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever. Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)

We have a good shepherd who is leading us through the valleys of life - to the other side of His blessings.

We have a great promise of how He will shepherd. Now it’s our opportunity to listen for His voice - His Word. A good thing to do is to pray His Word.

Here’s a Great Sheep Prayer:

Speak I am listening

Lead I am following

Command I will obey

21 Days of Prayer - Day 4 - Wednesday January 10, 2024 "Jesus Is My Provider"

Day 4 - Wednesday  January 10 - It’s All About Jesus - Jesus Is Provider 

JESUS IS MY PROVIDER

He provides for every area of my life because He is Lord.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

This reminds me to stay in the attitude of prayer and fasting, that He is my true source. He is my real, unending supply of all I need.

He is my TRUE provider. Some areas of resources come and go, but Jesus is our TRUE PROVIDER.

Prayer is the proclamation that the Lord is my PROVIDER.

That’s why He wants to know our requests, because He is My provider.

Further, when we ask, He wants us to be specific in our requests and make those requests known to Him. He loves it when we come and ask Him.

Then, give Him your FOCUS. Don’t wander in your thoughts. Pray prayers of Faith. Use your prayer guide to help you stay focused.

Know that God is not in short supply. There is nothing beyond Him and He has more than enough to provide for you.

He is more than enough. He has plenty for you and waits for you to specifically ask HIm, knowing He is JEHOVAH JIRE - OUR PROVIDER.

21 Days of Prayer - Day #3, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 "Jesus Is Our Peace"

Day 3 - Tuesday January 9 - It’s All About Jesus - Jesus Is My Peace

A lot going on in the world today - I need the peace that only Jesus can give me.

There are so many things to worry about - fear, anxiety - Jesus is my peace.

Fear and anxiety can come at you like waves coming to the beach, one after another coming at us. There are days I wonder about things - because this is what the enemy does.

Some people have this more than moments, some have it for seasons of their life. But no matter what - this is the Year of Miracles. In Jesus’ name - Peace is ours. His covenant name is Jehova Shalom - Jesus is our peace.

To experience His peace (not the peace that world offers) ….

ISaiah 9:6 (NIV) For to us a child is born,   to us a son is given,  and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Our God is a prince of peace.

Ephesus 2:14 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

John 14:27 (NIV)  27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We can praise God for this promise that is true.

The world’s version of peace is all about striving - you have to go after it.  (ILL: Like the titanic sinking, people are all striving to get safety). But we don’t have to strive. It’s found in the presence and person of Jesus. It’s about His ability to take our strife, sin and burdens.

We are trusting Him.

Matthew 7:25 (NIV) 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

3 ways we can pray for peace in our lives today.

1. Peace With God.

Romans 5:1-2 (NLT)  Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

2. Peace with ourselves.

Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

3. Peace with our circumstances.

John 16:33 (NIV) 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Today let’s press in and pray for peace. Let’s trust in the promises of God and let Him do what only He can do.